Quebec moves 450MW wind power procurement forward

CANADA: The Quebec government has published a draft regulation to buy 450MW of wind power

by Ben Miller 29 August 2013

Québec government and procurement of a 450MW block of wind power

This follows the announcement in May of plans to buy 800MW of wind power.

The 450MW consists of two blocks. The first block of 300MW will be generated by projects in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions, to the east of the province.

The second block will be for projects totalling 150MW.

Utility Hydro-Québec Distribution will obtain 225MW of capacity by 1 December 2017 and an additional 225MW of capacity by 1 December 2018.

Hydro-Québec is required to issue a call for tenders for the 450MW block of wind power within 90 days of the publication of the regulation in its final form.

In May, when the plan to buy 800MW of wind was announced, Quebec premier Pauline Marois said: "The government believes in the future of wind energy in Quebec." She added that the investment would  generate investment and manufacturing jobs in the province.